Last watch: The Three Musketeers (1973). It's interesting to compare the three films I've seen with the book, which I also read recently.
1948:
Cast: Gene Kelly ('d Artagnan), Lana Clarkson (De Winter), Vincent Price (Richelieu)
Quote: Athos: "This is no time for composing letters or looking happy.
Music: Chaikovsky stock. Romeo & Juliet in the love scenes.
Book tinkering: Some: Richelieu was not allowed to be called "cardinal". All references to him being a cardinal had to be cut out. Also, Mme
Bonacieux was the cousin of the landlord, not the wife. 1948 standards. Few minor alterations, but there are as many casualties as there are in the
book.
Stunts: Gene Kelly's legwork.
Looks: A bit fake and colours seem a bit too happy.
Nature: starts off as a low-brow comedy, moves on to become highly tragic.
Enjoyment: Gene Kelly. Gene. Kelly. He's utterly awesome.
1973
Cast: Michael York (d'Artagnan), Faye Dunaway (De Winter), Charlton Heston (De Richelieu)
Quote: Athos: You will find, young man, that the future looks rosiest through the bottom of a glass.
Music: Michel Legrand. Music is subdued at a lot of scenes, but of high quality.
Book tinkering: The Three Musketeers only follows the first half of the book, up to the point the diamonds are restored and d'Artagnan becomes a
musketeer. Although the storyline is kept decently intact, the characters are all depicted as bumbling, for comic value.
The film was cut in two, which posed legal difficulties and led to the Salkind Clause.
Stunts: Some. Fencing is often fought more with other props than with the swords.
Looks: A bit gritty, but convincing.
Mood: Slapstick comedy throughout.
Enjoyment: Michael York, the book wheel, the falcons...
1993
Cast: Chris o'Donnell (d'Artagnan), Rebecca De Mornay (De Winter), Tim Curry (Richelieu)
Quote: De Winter (to Richelieu): And with a flick of my wrist, I could change your religion.
Music: Michael Kamen presents a present but quality score.
Book tinkering: Book? What book?
Stunts: Exploding carriages.
Looks: Blue guys vs red guys.
Mood: action comedy with one-liners.
Enjoyment: besides music and Curry, none.